O.J.'s trial postponed until fall

Judge agrees defense needs more time, warns against more delays

Ken Ritter, Associated Press

Published 4:00 am, Saturday, March 8, 2008

Photo: Jae C. Hong

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###Live Caption:** FILE ** O.J. Simpson appears in a courtroom for his preliminary hearing in this Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 file photo in Las Vegas. The ground rules for O.J. Simpson's trial on kidnapping and armed robbery charges will be on the line Friday when a Nevada judge decides whether to drop any charges and whether two co-defendants should be tried separately. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, Pool, File)###Caption History:** FILE ** O.J. Simpson appears in a courtroom for his preliminary hearing in this Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 file photo in Las Vegas. The ground rules for O.J. Simpson's trial on kidnapping and armed robbery charges will be on the line Friday when a Nevada judge decides whether to drop any charges and whether two co-defendants should be tried separately. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, Pool, File)###Notes:O.J. Simpson###Special Instructions:POOL PHOTO A WEDNESDAY, NOV. 14, 2007 FILE PHOTO less

###Live Caption:** FILE ** O.J. Simpson appears in a courtroom for his preliminary hearing in this Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007 file photo in Las Vegas. The ground rules for O.J. Simpson's trial on kidnapping and ... more

Photo: Jae C. Hong

O.J.'s trial postponed until fall

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A judge agreed Friday to delay the armed robbery and kidnapping trial for O.J. Simpson and two co-defendants until September to give the defense more time to prepare.

Clark County District Judge Jackie Glass also refused to throw out the charges against the former football star, and she declined to separate his trial from co-defendants Charles Ehrlich and Clarence "C.J." Stewart.

In her ruling to push the trial to Sept. 8, Glass acknowledged it took longer than expected for prosecutors to analyze and enhance tape recordings, transcripts and fingerprints and turn them over to the defense to prepare for trial, which had been set initially for April 7.

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The judge issued a stern warning to lawyers that "there should be absolutely, positively no reason" to postpone trial again.

"If you even dare to come to me before the next trial setting and tell me of something that didn't get done, then shame on you," Glass said.

Simpson, Ehrlich and Stewart are accused of kidnapping and robbing two sports collectibles dealers in a September meeting in a room at a Las Vegas hotel-casino. Simpson maintains that he was retrieving items that belonged to him and that no guns were involved.

Kidnapping, the most serious charge, carries the potential of life in prison with the possibility of parole. But the judge indicated that prosecutors have presented little evidence to support the kidnap charge.

"At first blush, I said, 'Where's the kidnapping?' " Glass said. But she concluded that evidence presented during a November preliminary hearing met the minimal threshold to be put before a jury.

Simpson's attorney, Yale Galanter, Ehrlich's attorney, John Moran Jr., and lawyers for Stewart won the delay in starting the trial after complaining that the number of prospective prosecution witnesses grew to 82 names when several more expert witnesses were added Thursday. They had said they needed more time to prepare for cross-examinations.

Clark County District Attorney David Roger declined to comment Friday. He had characterized efforts to delay the trial as an attempt to sever Simpson's trial from those of his co-defendants.

Outside court, Moran said he changed his mind and would not appeal the decision to try the three men together.

"We're not going to appeal at this time," Moran said. "We were more concerned about the trial date and getting some more time to prepare."